Do you know how friggin long it took me to find you on that friggin street corner?? Do you know how many other ppl I would do that for? Not many!

You have become more then friend, or a pal NBG...you have been someone that I have loved getting to know, loved helping when I can, and felt that we had so much more to do! (No...not that! LOL) You know what I mean!

All this time, and you never mentioned that to me...I know a lot about you, but you skipped over that? D!mn it!

Who am I going to complain to about Miss Daisy, and the kids and my life?

You HAVE NOT seen the last of me, my friend!

NBG, I don't know if you read my comment on your "bucket list" but I wanted to say (again) how encouraging you have been for me on the educational end.

I have picked up your love of education. I hope to get my master's in a specialized field of speech or reading for the elementary children.

You have inspired so many. Take this time to enjoy yourself.

For you to say that you want to have it all done (your bucket list) before the fall semester begins speaks volumes of your dedication. I only wish I had you for a professor!!

Peace

I’m almost completed with my bucket list. I will list it when I’m finished and share all the experiences of the list with you as I check each off the list.

Relistor works by preventing this side effect without reducing the pain-relieving effects of the narcotic. It is usually given after laxatives have been tried without successful treatment of constipation.

The pain-relieving effects of any narcotic pain medications you use will be blocked if you use them during your treatment with Relistor.

To anyone who is being prescribed strong opioids for serious illness and the associated pain, a medicine called methylnaltrexone bromide (Relistor) is now in use to relieve the constipation associated with long-term use of opioids. It does not affect analgesia or any other property of the opioid, as it does not cross the blood-brain barrier.

It is given by subcutaneous injection; it is usual to try oral laxatives first, though methylnaltrexone only needs to be given every other day.

It has a rapid onset of effect - under 1 hour.

I don't want a funeral or wake. Just a cremation and scatter my ashes in the river near the home I grew up in.

I want me some of that stuff! Is it only in the UK?

FDA Approves Relistor for Opioid-Induced Constipation
drug will help reduce effects of drugs like morphine on bowel function

The U.S. Food and drug Administration today approved Relistor (methylnaltrexone bromide) to help restore bowel function in patients with late-stage, advanced illness who are receiving opioids on a continuous basis to help alleviate their pain.

Opioids are often prescribed on a continuous basis for patients with late-stage, advanced illness to help alleviate pain. This includes patients with a diagnosis of incurable cancer, end-stage Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) from emphysema, heart failure, Alzheimer’s disease with dementia, HIV/AIDS or other advanced illnesses.

Opioids can interfere with normal bowel elimination function by relaxing the intestinal smooth muscles and preventing them from contracting and pushing out waste products. Relistor acts by blocking opioid entrance into the cells thus allowing the bowels to continue to function normally.

“This new drug will be helpful to patients who experience severe constipation associated with the continuous use of morphine or other opioids, which are an important part of care for patients with late-stage, advanced illness.” said Joyce Korvick, M.D., deputy director of the Division of Gastroenterology Products, FDA.

Relistor is an injectable medication. It can be administered as needed, but not to exceed one dose in a 24 hour period. The recommended starting schedule is one dose every other day as needed for patients with late-stage advanced illness. Relistor is not recommended for patients with known or suspected intestinal obstructions.

Common side effects include abdominal pain, gas, nausea, dizziness and diarrhea. If severe diarrhea, vomiting, nausea or abdominal pain occurs while taking Relistor, patients should discontinue use of the medication in consultation with their health care professional.

The safety and effectiveness of the drug was demonstrated in clinical studies conducted by the sponsors. The two randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled studies involving a total of 287 participants were conducted over a four month period. The median age of the study participants was 68 years, and 51 percent of the participants were women. In both studies, all patients had advanced late-stage illnesses with a life expectancy of less than 6 months. Prior to treatment with Relistor, participants had either less than three bowel movements in the week prior to treatment or no bowel movement for more than 2 days. Patients who were treated with Relistor had a significantly higher rate of elimination than those receiving placebo. The safety and effectiveness of Relistor have not been studied in pediatric populations.

Relistor is manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Inc., Philadelphia, PA., and Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Tarrytown, NY.

Bill, do you really believe in death?

I'll never know what that experience was,(Maybe a big shot of morphine ?), but while I fear pain, I have little or no fear of death now.